Noise reduction earmuffs system and method

ABSTRACT

An earmuffs system for noise reduction including an external microphone used in combination with active noise cancellation technology for the reduction of wind or other noises typically experienced while riding a vehicle such as a motorcycle, snow machine or ATV, the earmuffs system including a first earmuff including a first speaker and a first microphone therein; a second earmuff electrically coupled to the first ear muff, the second ear muff including a second speaker and a second microphone therein; noise cancellation circuitry for receiving first sounds from the first microphone and the second microphone and processing the first sounds by in part canceling the first sounds to form a first sound output that is provided from the first speaker and the second speaker; and a third microphone placed external to the first earmuff and to the second earmuff, the third microphone supplying second sounds for the first speaker and the second speaker to output as a second sound output without the second sounds undergoing noise cancellation processing.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, and relates and claims priorityto, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/004,074, filed on Jun. 8, 2018,now U.S. Pat. No. 10,149,786 issued on Dec. 11, 2018.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The invention relates generally to an earmuffs system and method, andmore particularly, to an earmuffs system including an externalmicrophone used in combination with active noise cancellation technologyfor the reduction of wind and other noises typically experienced whileriding a vehicle such as a motorcycle, snow machine, ATV, etc.

BACKGROUND

Users of vehicles such as motorcycles, snow machines, ATVs, etc., oftenwear helmets for protection. For convenience, reference is made hereinprimarily to motorcycle riders and helmets only; however, the inventionis not so limited.

Even with helmet use, a problem remains in that motorcycle ridersexperience excessive wind noise. Wind noise occurs when wind hits asolid surface. The surface vibrates, and the vibrations are picked up bythe eardrums as noise. The ears can safely endure noise levels of 0 dBto 80 dB. However, the wind noise level in most motorcycle helmets canaverage between 95 dB and 105 dB or more, depending upon the speed oftravel of the motorcycle.

Exposure to wind noise can lead to permanent hearing loss. Wind noisealso tends to fatigue a rider. Wind noise also interferes withcommunications systems used by riders.

Numerous attempts have been made to filter or reduce wind noise formotorcycle riders. Aerodynamic helmets that allow the wind to pass moreeasily over them have been used. The use of earplugs also has beentried. However, filtering wind noise tends to muffle out importantsounds like communications, sirens from emergency vehicles, enginenoises, vehicle horns, etc.

Thus, there remains a need for a system and method to provide improvedwind noise reduction without the drawbacks of prior approaches to theproblem.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a noise reduction system and method formotorcycle riders that includes a helmet having an external microphoneused in combination with active noise cancelling technology. Theexternal microphone provides the rider with the sounds of sirens,engines, horns, and the like, which otherwise would be muffled by theactive noise cancellation system.

By way of example only, an earmuffs system for a helmet or headphonessystem includes: a first ear muff including a first speaker and a firstmicrophone therein; a second earmuff electrically coupled to the firstear muff, the second ear muff including a second speaker and a secondmicrophone therein; noise cancellation circuitry disposed within thefirst ear muff, the noise cancellation circuitry receiving first soundsfrom the first microphone and the second microphone and processing thefirst sounds by in part canceling the first sounds to form a soundoutput that is provided from the first speaker and the second speaker;and a third microphone placed external to the helmet or headphonessystem, the third microphone supplying second sounds for the firstspeaker and the second speaker to output without the second soundsundergoing noise cancellation processing.

Other benefits and advantages of the present disclosure will beappreciated from the following detailed description.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view in partial schematic form of an exemplary embodiment ofa noise reduction earmuffs system.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an earmuff and padding on a first sideof a helmet including the exemplary embodiment of a earmuffs systemshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an earmuff and padding on a second sideof a helmet including the exemplary embodiment of an earmuffs systemshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a helmet including the exemplary embodiment ofan earmuffs system shown in FIG. 1, which is equipped with acommunications system and system control board.

FIG. 4A is a first side view of an exemplary embodiment of an earmuffssystem shown in FIG. 1, embodied in a headphones system.

FIG. 4B is a second side view of an exemplary embodiment of an earmuffssystem shown in FIG. 1, embodied in a headphones system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention and various alternatives are described.Those skilled in the art will recognize, given the teachings herein,that numerous alternatives and equivalents exist which do not departfrom the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention not belimited by the description set forth herein or below.

One or more specific embodiments of the system and method will bedescribed below. These described embodiments are only exemplary of thepresent disclosure. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concisedescription of these exemplary embodiments, all features of an actualimplementation may not be described in the specification. It should beappreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation,as in any engineering or design project, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedevelopers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a developmenteffort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be aroutine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those ofordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

Further, for clarity and convenience only, and without limitation, thedisclosure (including the drawings) sets forth exemplary representationsof only certain aspects of events and/or circumstances related to thisdisclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize, given the teachingsherein, additional such aspects, events and/or circumstances related tothis disclosure, e.g., additional elements of the devices described;events occurring related to earmuffs use; etc. Such aspects related tothis disclosure do not depart from the invention, and it is thereforeintended that the invention not be limited by the certain aspects setforth of the events and circumstances related to this disclosure.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an exemplary earmuffs systemsuited for wind and other noise reduction. The system includes a firstearmuff 10 and a second earmuff 20. The earmuffs 10, 20 may be adaptedto fit over the ears of a system user, or may be otherwise placed on theear. Earmuff 10 includes a speaker 30 electrically coupled via line 40to an active noise cancellation circuit board 50. Microphone 60 inearmuff 10, and microphone 70 in earmuff 20, provide a first sound inputto the circuit board 50 via lines 55, 65 respectively. The circuit board50 processes the ambient sounds received from microphones 60, 70 (i.e.,the first sound), and provides a second sound that is specificallydesigned to cancel in whole or in part the first sound. The second soundmay be 180 degrees out of phase with the first sound. The circuit board50 is electrically coupled to speaker 30 in earmuff 10 and speaker 90 inearmuff 20 via lines 40, 80 respectively.

Although reference is made herein to active noise cancellationtechnology, such technology might also be referred to as active noisecontrol or active noise reduction. Each of these approaches to noisecancellation may be used in connection with the present invention.

Power to the active noise cancellation circuit board 50 may be providedfrom battery 100. As shown, battery 100 is disposed in earmuff 20, andcircuit board 50 is disposed in earmuff 10, with a line 110 connectingthe two. However, the placement of the battery 100 and circuit board 50ultimately will depend upon the circumstances involved in a particularapplication.

An external microphone 120 may be provided that is electrically coupledto ear muffs 10, 20 via line 125. The external microphone 120 may besituated at the center, rear of the helmet 130. See FIG. 3. The externalmicrophone 120 provides sounds to the rider that would otherwise beoverly muffled by the noise cancellation system. Sounds that theexternal microphone 120 may provide include an acceptable level ofengine noise; sirens of emergency vehicles; car horns or other warningsignals; etc. The sounds provided by external microphone 120 may beprocessed by circuit board 50; however, the sounds will not be overlycancelled or reduced as a result of such processing, so that the soundsmay be heard by the rider. The earmuffs 10, 20 may be disposed within orsurrounded by the padding 135 of helmet 130.

The battery 100 may be charged via lines 130, 140, 150 using a 12 Voltadapter 160 that plugs into the motorcycle or other vehicle. A controlunit 200 may be positioned on the exterior of the helmet 130. Thecontrol unit 200 may include lights 210 to indicate that one or both ofthe external microphone (MIC) and active noise cancellation (ANC)components are operational. The control unit 200 also may include avolume control 220 that may adjust upward or downward the sound heardfrom speakers 30, 90.

The earmuffs system of the present invention also may be used incombination with a commercially available intercom system that allowsrider to rider intercommunications. An exemplary intercom controller 230is shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4A, and is connected to the earmuff 10 vialine 240.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Here,the earmuffs with active noise cancellation technology are embodied in aheadphones system. The headphones system includes a frame 300 upon whichthe earmuffs may be mounted. A chin strap 310 may be used to hold theframe 300 in place so that the earmuffs are positioned over a rider'sears. On one side of the headphones system the control unit 200 and theintercom controller 230 may be positioned for ease of access by a rider.On the opposite side of the headphones system the external microphone120 may be positioned. In one embodiment, the external microphone may bepositioned proximate a shield used to reduce wind and other noiseeffects on the microphone 120. In another embodiment, with or without ashield, the external microphone 120 may be adapted with a cover for thereduction of wind and other noises. One example of such a cover may bethe use of foam, either alone or in conjunction with the use of fur.

An exemplary method in accordance with the present invention may involvethe steps of: providing to an individual a first sound output comprisinga first ambient sound that is at least partially cancelled by a secondsound that is out of phase with the first ambient sound; and a secondsound output that is provided without noise cancellation or noisereduction processing; wherein the first ambient sound is supplied by oneor more microphones disposed proximate one or more of the individual'sears in one or more over-the-ear earmuffs, and wherein the second soundoutput is supplied from a microphone positioned external to theearmuffs. In one exemplary embodiment, the first ambient sound isdetected within a helmet or a headphones system, and the second soundoutput is supplied from a microphone external to the helmet or theheadphones system. In another exemplary embodiment, an individual isprovided a helmet or a headphones system that provides the individualwith a first sound output that has undergone noise cancellationprocessing and a second sound output that has not undergone noisecancellation processing, wherein the first sound output is supplied byone or more microphones internal to the helmet or headphones system, andthe second sound output is supplied by one or more microphones externalto the helmet or headphones system.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is onlyillustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modificationscan be devised by those skilled in the art having the benefit of thisdisclosure, without departing from the invention. Accordingly, theinvention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modificationsand variances.

Certain exemplary embodiments of the disclosure may be described. Ofcourse, the embodiments may be modified in form and content, and are notexhaustive, i.e., additional aspects of the disclosure, as well asadditional embodiments, will be understood and may be set forth in viewof the description herein. Further, while the invention may besusceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specificembodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and willbe described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that theinvention is not intended to be limited to the particular formsdisclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications,equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An earmuffs system for a helmet including: a first ear muff including a first speaker and a first microphone therein; a second earmuff electrically coupled to the first ear muff, the second ear muff including a second speaker and a second microphone therein; noise cancellation circuitry disposed within the helmet, the noise cancellation circuitry receiving first sounds from the first microphone and the second microphone and processing the first sounds by in part canceling the first sounds to form a first sound output that is provided from the first speaker and the second speaker; and a third microphone placed external to the helmet, the third microphone supplying second sounds for the first speaker and the second speaker to output as a second sound output.
 2. The earmuffs system of claim 1 including a control unit electrically coupled to the noise cancellation circuitry for adjusting the volume of the first sound output or the second sound output.
 3. The earmuffs system of claim 1 including a control unit electrically coupled to the first speaker and the second speaker to adjust a sound volume from the first speaker or the second speaker.
 4. The earmuffs system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first speaker and the second speaker provide the first sound output and the second sound output simultaneously.
 5. The earmuffs system of claim 1, wherein the first speaker and the second speaker are electrically coupled to a rider-to-rider intercommunication system.
 6. The earmuffs system of claim 1, wherein the second earmuff includes a battery electrically coupled to the noise cancellation circuitry.
 7. The earmuffs system of claim 6, wherein the battery is rechargeable via an adaptor for use with a twelve-volt receptacle in a vehicle.
 8. An earmuffs system including: a first earmuff including a first speaker and a first microphone therein; a second earmuff electrically coupled to the first ear muff, the second ear muff including a second speaker and a second microphone therein; noise cancellation circuitry for receiving first sounds from the first microphone and the second microphone and processing the first sounds by in part canceling the first sounds to form a first sound output that is provided from the first speaker and the second speaker; and a third microphone placed external to the first earmuff and to the second earmuff, the third microphone supplying second sounds for the first speaker and the second speaker to output as a second sound output.
 9. The earmuffs system of claim 8, wherein the first sound output and the second sound output are provided simultaneously by one or more of the first speaker and the second speaker.
 10. The earmuffs system of claim 8 embodied in a helmet.
 11. The earmuffs system of claim 8 embodied in a headphones system.
 12. The earmuffs system of claim 8 including a control unit for adjusting the volume of sound provided by the first speaker or the second speaker.
 13. The earmuffs system of claim 8 including a rider-to-rider intercommunication system electrically coupled to at least one of the first earmuff and the second earmuff.
 14. An earmuffs system for a helmet including: a first ear muff including a first speaker therein; a second ear muff electrically coupled to the first ear muff, the second ear muff including a second speaker therein; a first microphone and a second microphone within the helmet; noise cancellation circuitry disposed within the first ear muff, the noise cancellation circuitry receiving first sounds from the first microphone and the second microphone and processing the first sounds by in part canceling the first sounds to form a first sound output that is provided from the first speaker and the second speaker; and a third microphone placed external to the helmet, the third microphone supplying second sounds for the first speaker and the second speaker to output as a second sound output.
 15. The earmuffs system of claim 14 including a control unit electrically coupled to the noise cancellation circuitry for adjusting the volume of the first sound output or the second sound output.
 16. The earmuffs system of claim 14 including a control unit electrically coupled to the first speaker and the second speaker to adjust a sound volume from the first speaker or the second speaker.
 17. The earmuffs system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first speaker and the second speaker provide the first sound output and the second sound output simultaneously.
 18. The earmuffs system of claim 14, wherein the first speaker and the second speaker are electrically coupled to a rider-to-rider intercommunication system.
 19. The earmuffs system of claim 14, wherein the second earmuff includes a battery electrically coupled to the noise cancellation circuitry.
 20. The earmuffs system of claim 19, wherein the battery is rechargeable via an adaptor for use with a twelve-volt receptacle in a vehicle.
 21. An earmuffs system for a helmet including: a first ear muff including a first speaker therein; a second earmuff electrically coupled to the first ear muff, the second ear muff including a second speaker therein; a first microphone and a second microphone within the helmet; noise cancellation circuitry disposed within the helmet, the noise cancellation circuitry receiving first sounds from the first microphone and the second microphone and processing the first sounds by in part canceling the first sounds to form a first sound output that is provided from the first speaker and the second speaker; and a third microphone placed external to the helmet, the third microphone supplying second sounds for the first speaker and the second speaker to output as a second sound output without the second sounds undergoing noise cancellation processing.
 22. The earmuffs system of claim 21 including a control unit electrically coupled to the noise cancellation circuitry for adjusting the volume of the first sound output or the second sound output.
 23. The earmuffs system of claim 21 including a control unit electrically coupled to the first speaker and the second speaker to adjust a sound volume from the first speaker or the second speaker.
 24. The earmuffs system of claim 21, wherein at least one of the first speaker and the second speaker provide the first sound output and the second sound output simultaneously.
 25. The earmuffs system of claim 21, wherein the first speaker and the second speaker are electrically coupled to a rider-to-rider intercommunication system.
 26. The earmuffs system of claim 21, wherein the second earmuff includes a battery electrically coupled to the noise cancellation circuitry.
 27. The earmuffs system of claim 26, wherein the battery is rechargeable via an adaptor for use with a twelve-volt receptacle in a vehicle. 